FBI memo on Donald Trump, Teamsters and Mafia

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D.U 9/22/81 '

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SUPV. DAHOH T. TAV1.0R
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On 5/21/80f writer v«s Introducd to vource 'by « '
the operating Case Agent, source provided to welter on the
above date, a general bacKground conernlng LCK Influence In
the Eastern Conference of Teamsteca^ On 7/14/BC', writer again laet
with Bdurce in the presence of the Case Agent and discuBsed the
same topic. Five (S) of ^he neetinga took place thereafter, Iei'-
volvidg writer, Case Agent and source i durl^ these meetings
source diacusaed public documents and genA/al historical back-^
ground regarding the teamsters union as well as the organised
labor movement in the tJnlted states {OS) as it relates to Organised
Crime. Much of this information is the subject of natiy books,
some of which source collaborated on with Journalists in preparing
the manuscripts. ' ^

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In early April of 1981, writer was contacted by
Case Agent and was subseguently advised ^hat the .source bad a '
business relationship with DONALD and ROBERT TRUHF qf^.the, .

Trump Organisation. The source, in this cese/'~owns'a^plecc of /
property (along with other partners) In Atlantic ^City, ‘upon which
'the Trump Organl 2 ation wants to build a casino. In > early April, -

1981, writer and case Agent met with DONAIJ}_^TRUHP.‘^The';purpose''of
this meeting was for DONALD ^TRQKP to expres^ bis reservations about
building a casino In Atlantic City. TRUHP advised Agents "that he
.had read in the press media and had heard from various acquaintances
that Organized Crime elements were known to operate In Atlantic
City. TR0MP also expressed at this meeting," the reaervation that
hla life and those around him would be subject to microscopic
examination. TROHF advised that be wanted to build a casino In
Atlantic City but he did not wish to tarnish his family's name

NY (137-19967J

Inadvertently- Agents advised THUHP that he should carefully
tbinJ; over his decision to build in Atlantic City^ and carefully
prepare not only methods of securing employees’ honesty# but also
corporate integrity* TRGHP advised that he wished to cooperate
with the FBI if be did decide to build a casino. The Agents that
were present advised although they were not in a position to speak
for the FBI, or to guarantee anything, that if he in fact wished
to build in Atlantic City and decided firmly on this matter, they
would be glad to re^discuss the situation without making any
committments*

After this initial meeting# the New York Office (NYO)
began to research Atlantic City and its various regulating bodies
as well as what evidence existed regarding Organized Crime influence
in th^t city* At an Atlantic City conference, writer discussed
with Bureau officials and the Atlantic City Hesident Agency# the
possibility that a proposed casino owner might be willing to
cooperate with the FBI- In June# 1981# writer met again with
DONALD TRUMP and ROBERT TRUMP during which time they advised that
they felt confident that they wished to build a casino in Atlantic
City. TRUMP advised writer# who was in the presence of the Case
Agent, that he# (TRUMP) # wished to provide full disclosure during
the construction phase of this casino and , subsequently, once the
casino was operational* ^TRUMP stated in order , ho show that he was
willing to fully cooperate with the Fsi , he suggested .that they . '
use undercover Agents within the casino* , Writer advised TRUMP that
he could not speak for the FBI, and he could not - make \any. agreements
or promises as per Bureau policy in this matter. ‘TRUMP asked t ' %
writer his personal opinion regarding whether -he : should build in -
Atlantic City. Writer advised TRUMP# on a ^ personal level, not. as ^
a matter of Bureau policy# that he, (writer) # thought there were
easier ways that TRUMP could invest his money. TRUMP asked writer
if he could attempt to introduce him to appropriate officials
in the FBI with whom he could discuss' this matter. Writer advised
TRUMP he would research this matter further and re-contact him.

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At this point, writer initiated steps with the Newark
Office and the Atlantic City Resident Agency to begin planning
an undercover proposal concerning the proposed TRUMP casino. This
proposal, now in tboroaghly finished state, was to be discussed
with TRUMP by the SACs of the New York Office and the Newark Office
on 10/1/81,

■On 9/21/81, writer returned the call of DONALD TRUMP
and subsequently talked to DONALD and ROBERT TRUMP via telephone,
TRUMP advised writer that he traveled to Trenton, Hew Jersey on
Wednesday of the previous week and had met with DGZ official,

MICKEY BROWN- TRUMP advised that BROWN told him that he had
■no problem' with TRUMP background and expected him to be
licenced in the iinmediate future- BROWN, according to TRUMP, further
stated that he had one problem and that involved captioned source-
TRUMP Stated that he told BROWN that source was the first individual
to preach "honesty" to him regarding his dealings in Atlantic City.
TRUMP advised that he also told BROWN that source had introduced
him to two Agents of the PBI , {one of the names given was that .of
writer) . TRUMP stated that BROWN told him^that source was not
candid with DGE regarding some questions, and that this might draw
out the investigation, TRUMP advised writer that he told BROWN
of Bource^s relationship with the FBI only.in^the sense that :it '
might "nip things ' in ' the bud", and prevent ' future problems, TRUMP
stated that he talked with'BSOWfM about nothing of a substantive •
nature, particularly involving any proposed undercover 'activity. .

' On the same day, writer and Case Agent talked with*
source-' ‘ Source advised thathe had been interviewed by DGE appro^ci^
mately a month and a half ago* DGH asked for documentation regarding
source's business activities. Source advised that his attorney had
inadvertently not sent DGE the appropriate documents, however,
would do so now- source further advised that DGE officials asked

NY (137-15967J

him about his telationship with the FBI based on a stack of
newspaper clippings which |>GB officials had access to* source
declined to answer this question*

It should be e/nphasited that TRUMP is not aware
of source relationship with the FBI and knows only that the
contacting Agents are acquaintances; however, writer and Case
Agent have repeatedly told TRUH? that they were not references
for source and cannot speak for aource's business dealings. The
TRUMPS have advised writer and Case Agent that source is involved
as a labor consultant to their firm. They are aware that this is a
very rough business and that source knows 'people, some of whom ‘ ^

may be unsavory by the simple nature of the business. On
9/21/81, ■ source contacted MICKEY BROWN of DGE at TRUMP's request*
Befofe source could elaborate on the matter of his call, BROWN
told him that he, (BROWN) , was attempting to talk with the ‘

Newark Division of the FBI to verify some conversation (s) that
TRUMP had had with (BROWN) . Source advised BROWN that he was calling
regarding 'a different matter and the question of whether or not he ■
was a source of the FBI simply did not come up. "Source told BROWN
he was calling regarding a different matter and that his attorney
had inadvertently not sent appropriate business documentation to BROWi
Source stated that he would do so now. According to source,
he then asked :BROWN is there anything else. *.•?, -to which BROt^
responded, ^nd". On 9/21/81, BROWN called the SAC, Newark Division,
and inquired regarding source. SAC Newark advised BROWN . that
he would get back to him. On 9/22/81, SAC/ Newark ,' called writer
regarding. his conversation with BRO^ra and the matter of his
future response.

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It should be emphasiied that TRUMP advised writer he
did not talk with BROWN about anything concerning the proposed
undercover activity. It should further be emphasized that source
Is not aware of the matter of this proposed activity.

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